When times are tough, and you don't feel like there is anyway to get out of the situation that you are in, I want you to remember that relief is out there.
I believe that finding relief is also a mindset. If you know in your head and in your heart that relief is out there, you are going to focus on it and find it. Think about it like this, if we didn't know the truth that there is relief out there we would never have the ability to feel relived.
In 2 Thessalonians Paul talks about two dimensions of relief that we can relate to perfectly. The two types that he talks about are what I believe we can focus on and rely on to get us out of the tough times that we all face.
All this is evidence that God's judgment is right and as a result you will be counted worth of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as powerful angels. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
They first type of relief that we can gain is knowing that our sufferings are strengthening us, making us ready for Christ's kingdom. I cannot stress how important it is to view our suffering in a way in which we are being bettered. If we view all the tough things we go through as beneficial, we won't even really be going through tough times anymore. Imagine the power in the mindset. With a mindset like that nothing should ever get us off track.
I challenge you this week to view your sufferings in that way. Whenever you get down in the dumps remember that you have the ability to feel relief when you view your challenge as things that are benefitting you for your future in God's kingdom.
The second type of relief is gaining relief in the fact that one day everyone will stand before God. At that time wrongs will be righted, judgment will be pronounced, and evil will be terminated.
I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like evil is all over the place and there is no hope in getting rid of it. Well someday, evil be totally gone and there won't be a trace of it anyone. There is power in that. Someday evil will be all gone.
I challenge you again that next time you feel like there is no escaping evil, remember that someday you will escape it. You can find relief in that.
Find relief this week my friends. When we begin to shift our mindset to finding relief in all the tough situations we will become more and more like our Father, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
5 quick tips
My goal with this post is to encourage you in 5 ways.
I won't get too crazy with it, sometimes the most encouraging things are those which are are the most simple and to the point.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18)
1. make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong
I challenge you this week that when something negative happens to you as a result of another person that you don't have any intentions to do something negative back to them. Forgive that person and move on. You are not perfect either.
2. strive to do what is good for each other and everyone else
Strive to do what is good. Notice, it does not say strive to do what is good for you, but for each others. Strive to be a better person for others. If you are only striving to do good for yourself you are not loving others the way that you should.
3. rejoice always
Rejoice all the time. I think we forget to do this. Sometimes we just celebrate the big things in life. Rejoice the moment you get out of bed every morning. God didn't have to wake you up this morning. Rejoice when you look around and see all of the things that God created. Rejoice when times are tough because you know those tough times are making you stronger and a better person. There is so much power in rejoicing all of the time. People will want to be around you and be like you when you put a positive spin on life.
4. pray continually
If God hears all of our thoughts, why not make all of our thoughts prayers? Pray often. Pray before meals, pray in the morning and a night. Pray with your significant other and pray with your friends. We always have the ability to pray. Let's do it more often.
5. give thanks in all circumstances
Give thanks all of the time. Thankful people are some of the best people. When I have the opportunity to serve others and they are thankful, it is so rewarding. I have come to learn that when people are thankful, it's being obedient to God and you are having an uplifting impact on others. There is a great amount of power in being thankful.
I encourage you to really take those 5 things to heart this week and try to implement those things in your daily life. I promise you it's worth it. Try to make a habit out of doing those things. Once they become a habit, you will really feel what I am talking about.
Friday, September 27, 2019
A quiet life
Have you ever thought about what it means to live a quiet life?
If there was one thing apart from Jesus that I would want to share with the world it would be to mind your own business. We get way too caught up in worrying about others. We worry about what other people have we worry about what people think and we worry about what other people want.
You know what valuable thing worrying takes up? Time.
When we spend time worrying we miss out on time that we could use being productive, improving ourselves, or even investing into other people in a positive way.
I am not instructing you to live a life where you isolate yourself from everyone, that isn't how we are called to live. I am just recommending that we begin to do a better job at minding our own business and living a quiet life.
A quiet life to me is a life where you aren't concerned with the way that others think about you. I believe when you're right with God a quiet life is one that comes with it. A life with God at the center eliminates all the other unnecessary noise.
You begin to slowly recognize that what you need is God. You won't feel like you need what others have, or need what others want. Your focus is solely on God. I've come to learn that when my focus is solely on God the things I need naturally begin to fall into place. I start to recognize that every good thing is from God and any negative thing will better be for the future.
...and to make it your ambition to live a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
We must remember to work with our hands in such a way that is pleasing and honoring to God. When you do that, fulfillment will come because God never fails. The results you want might not always be what you want, but I strongly believe that no matter the results, the feeling you get when you're committing everything you do to God is more rewarding than the results. I also firmly believe that the results will come.
Most importantly, when you live a quiet life, you will begin to win the respect of outsiders. I look up to people who mind their own business, live a quiet life, and honor God in all they do. I am naturally drawn to those people.
There is just something about living a quiet life that people are drawn too, it's obedient and an escape from the outside noise of this life.
If there was one thing apart from Jesus that I would want to share with the world it would be to mind your own business. We get way too caught up in worrying about others. We worry about what other people have we worry about what people think and we worry about what other people want.
You know what valuable thing worrying takes up? Time.
When we spend time worrying we miss out on time that we could use being productive, improving ourselves, or even investing into other people in a positive way.
I am not instructing you to live a life where you isolate yourself from everyone, that isn't how we are called to live. I am just recommending that we begin to do a better job at minding our own business and living a quiet life.
A quiet life to me is a life where you aren't concerned with the way that others think about you. I believe when you're right with God a quiet life is one that comes with it. A life with God at the center eliminates all the other unnecessary noise.
You begin to slowly recognize that what you need is God. You won't feel like you need what others have, or need what others want. Your focus is solely on God. I've come to learn that when my focus is solely on God the things I need naturally begin to fall into place. I start to recognize that every good thing is from God and any negative thing will better be for the future.
...and to make it your ambition to live a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
We must remember to work with our hands in such a way that is pleasing and honoring to God. When you do that, fulfillment will come because God never fails. The results you want might not always be what you want, but I strongly believe that no matter the results, the feeling you get when you're committing everything you do to God is more rewarding than the results. I also firmly believe that the results will come.
Most importantly, when you live a quiet life, you will begin to win the respect of outsiders. I look up to people who mind their own business, live a quiet life, and honor God in all they do. I am naturally drawn to those people.
There is just something about living a quiet life that people are drawn too, it's obedient and an escape from the outside noise of this life.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Faithful in distress
As humans living and breathing and walking on this earth every day we are all going through something. I guarantee each and everyone one of you knows someone who is going through something that is really hard for them.
Most of the time when we are facing something that is distressful to us, we have two ways that we can handle it...
The first way is that when we are distressed, we let the stress take over. We become super negative, hopeless, and have an attitude that makes nobody want to be around us. I am sure that you know that person or have been around that person before. It's not fun. There is no hope and you really don't know what to do to help because they have become so closed off.
The second way is having faith. No matter how difficult the situation is that you are going through, having faith through it all is encouraging to everyone around you. I've been very fortunate in my life to not have anything that crazy happen to anyone super close to me, but I have had people close to me who show faith in the midst of their distress and those people are some of the most encouraging and uplifting people I know. Those people have impacted my life in more ways that I will ever be able to impact theirs.
Think about it, those who have faith in the midst of the worst situations not only are encouraging, but their faith allows you to put things into perspective. Having faith in distress is a double-edged sword used to encourage people in all situations and walks of life.
My one thing for you today is to have faith in your stressful situations because not only are you living out your faith in God...you are also encouraging those around you. I am sure that the people who have faith in those situations aren't just having faith for other people, they genuinely are putting their faith in Jesus Christ and as a result of their good faith we are encouraged. It's a beautiful thing.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Like children among you
I am going to paint this picture in your head...you might think I am crazy...but I believe that we should live like the children among us.
Here are three reasons why:
1. Excitement
2. No expectations/clue
3. Gentleness
Think about how excited children get about certain things. When I was like 5, there was a video of me playing with the styrofoam that was protecting a Christmas present that I had got. I was infatuated by the packaging of my toy. The smallest things get kids excited. As we grow older we loose that excitement about life. We need to get that excitement back.
Another quality that kids have that we lack is not having expectations. Young kids don't really have expectations for their lives yet because they haven't really experienced much. Most of the time they don't have a clue how things work. They are so focused on the moment. I think about when I was a young kid...the days seem to last forever, and I was easily content in all situations. (unless I was hungry) Children also don't full understand what it means to please people. They are content with their lives and with very little. Most children don't wake up thinking about what people they are going to try and please today.
Young children are gentle. A part from the fits that they might through, a young child has a certain amount of gentleness that we lack. Children are often gentle because they don't really understand what it meats to be let down, again they don't really have that much of a clue because they are young and haven't really had much experience with life yet.
Where is this all coming from?
"We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you."
(1 Thessalonians 2:6-7)
Children are never looking for praise from people. I am encouraging you to live like the children among you because when we do that, our lives can look totally different. Especially when it comes to the relationships that we have with others.
Have excitement in your relationships. Just like a child does from the little things. Often times children are excited to talk to people no matter what that case is. They're excited because they don't know any better. What would it look like if you approached your conversations and daily interactions with people as if you didn't know any better about that person. I want to have the same excitement I have talking to a janitor as I would when I talk to my Managing Director.
Treat all people without having expectations. Just like what children do. They don't know any better to have a reason for setting expectations for their lives or other people on a daily basis. The moment we start setting expectations for people, we are either thrilled by those or disappointed. It's also not fair to set expectations for other people because we aren't perfect. Only God is perfect, and can fulfill all expectations. If we are really trying to be followers of Christ why do we so often set unfair expectations for others?
Be gentle to everyone. Gentleness is often overlooked as a personal trait in our society. Power and assertiveness gain more respect, even though no one likes to be bullied. Gentleness is love in action-being considerate, meeting the needs of others, allowing time for the other person to talk, and being willing to learn. It's essential. Children are so gentle and it's something we are drawn too. Be that person that people are drawn to because you are gentle.
I feel really passionate about what I wrote tonight in this post, and I encourage you to take it to heart. We need to remember to approach people like the children that are among us. When we do that, it will be a beautiful thing.
Here are three reasons why:
1. Excitement
2. No expectations/clue
3. Gentleness
Think about how excited children get about certain things. When I was like 5, there was a video of me playing with the styrofoam that was protecting a Christmas present that I had got. I was infatuated by the packaging of my toy. The smallest things get kids excited. As we grow older we loose that excitement about life. We need to get that excitement back.
Another quality that kids have that we lack is not having expectations. Young kids don't really have expectations for their lives yet because they haven't really experienced much. Most of the time they don't have a clue how things work. They are so focused on the moment. I think about when I was a young kid...the days seem to last forever, and I was easily content in all situations. (unless I was hungry) Children also don't full understand what it means to please people. They are content with their lives and with very little. Most children don't wake up thinking about what people they are going to try and please today.
Young children are gentle. A part from the fits that they might through, a young child has a certain amount of gentleness that we lack. Children are often gentle because they don't really understand what it meats to be let down, again they don't really have that much of a clue because they are young and haven't really had much experience with life yet.
Where is this all coming from?
"We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you."
(1 Thessalonians 2:6-7)
Children are never looking for praise from people. I am encouraging you to live like the children among you because when we do that, our lives can look totally different. Especially when it comes to the relationships that we have with others.
Have excitement in your relationships. Just like a child does from the little things. Often times children are excited to talk to people no matter what that case is. They're excited because they don't know any better. What would it look like if you approached your conversations and daily interactions with people as if you didn't know any better about that person. I want to have the same excitement I have talking to a janitor as I would when I talk to my Managing Director.
Treat all people without having expectations. Just like what children do. They don't know any better to have a reason for setting expectations for their lives or other people on a daily basis. The moment we start setting expectations for people, we are either thrilled by those or disappointed. It's also not fair to set expectations for other people because we aren't perfect. Only God is perfect, and can fulfill all expectations. If we are really trying to be followers of Christ why do we so often set unfair expectations for others?
Be gentle to everyone. Gentleness is often overlooked as a personal trait in our society. Power and assertiveness gain more respect, even though no one likes to be bullied. Gentleness is love in action-being considerate, meeting the needs of others, allowing time for the other person to talk, and being willing to learn. It's essential. Children are so gentle and it's something we are drawn too. Be that person that people are drawn to because you are gentle.
I feel really passionate about what I wrote tonight in this post, and I encourage you to take it to heart. We need to remember to approach people like the children that are among us. When we do that, it will be a beautiful thing.
Monday, September 23, 2019
You were chosen
Sometimes we get caught in the comparison game where we seem to think that God chose some people but not everyone.
We look around, compare ourselves to others, and some people just look like they might have better lives. That is never the case. Perception isn't always reality. Most of the time it's not reality.
The goal of this post is to make it short, sweet, and to the point. My goal is for you to also understand that you were chosen by God.
You didn't just appear on this earth for no reason. God chose you for a reason that is greater than you will ever be able to understand. The great thing is, we don't have to earn God's love. We don't have to do things for him to choose us. He so freely gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God chose you! We need to sop believing that God is choosing other people other than ourselves. With that belief we get caught up in the negative thinking that we have no value. Well, I am telling you tonight that you have value, because you have been chosen by God.
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you..." (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
I just want you all to have that belief and to know that you have significance, importance, and value. It's time to start believing that you have value and that your life is meaningful because you have been chosen by God.
I have been chosen for a lot of really good basketball teams in my life, but being chosen by God is the icing on the cake. You see...I am done with basketball now....I am not a part of any teams any more, but I will always be a part of the team that lasts forever and that is the team hand selected by God.
Believe in yourself, and believe in the one who put together an undefeated team that will last forever.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Seasoned with salt
I want you to think about one thing...are the conversations that you are having on a day to day basis beneficial for everyone that you are coming in contact with? Or are they just beneficial for yourself?
I believe that one of the things that we need to do better is to make sure that our conversations have significance. We can't only have valuable conversations with a handful of people. If you are only having those types of conversations with a handful of people is what you're saying really that valuable?
I believe that definitely gives you something to think about.
"Seasoned with salt" means that what we say should be tasty and should encourage further dialogue.
I can definitely do better in this area. As I sit here writing this I think of all of the people that I speak differently to. I don't think my conversations are bad, but I talk to certain people different than I do others. I don't think that should be a thing.
When I say that, I am talking content wise. I am not going to talk to a 3 year old the exact same way I would talk to some elders. But the tone, mindset, and positivity should be the same.
I want all my conversations to have meaning. It's easy to identify those people in my life that I know if I go talk to them, I am going to feel rejuvenated after a 5 minute conversation. There are colleagues of mine in my office that I will go talk to when I need to have a 'tasty' conversation.
My challenge for you is to be that person to everyone. Be that persons that people want to talk to when they need to feel uplifted and encouraged. You don't have to be a saint. The people I enjoy having conversations with this most are genuinely happy, outgoing, and positive people who really listen to me and ask my meaningful questions.
It's really not hard to be those thing. Try it out tomorrow...
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6)
When we are outgoing, positive, and happy people, we are showing love. Having a conversation out of love leads to being able to answer anyone. I really encourage you to try this out tomorrow. Let all of your conversations be full of grace and that is when you will have an impact greater than you could ever imagine.
I believe that one of the things that we need to do better is to make sure that our conversations have significance. We can't only have valuable conversations with a handful of people. If you are only having those types of conversations with a handful of people is what you're saying really that valuable?
I believe that definitely gives you something to think about.
"Seasoned with salt" means that what we say should be tasty and should encourage further dialogue.
I can definitely do better in this area. As I sit here writing this I think of all of the people that I speak differently to. I don't think my conversations are bad, but I talk to certain people different than I do others. I don't think that should be a thing.
When I say that, I am talking content wise. I am not going to talk to a 3 year old the exact same way I would talk to some elders. But the tone, mindset, and positivity should be the same.
I want all my conversations to have meaning. It's easy to identify those people in my life that I know if I go talk to them, I am going to feel rejuvenated after a 5 minute conversation. There are colleagues of mine in my office that I will go talk to when I need to have a 'tasty' conversation.
My challenge for you is to be that person to everyone. Be that persons that people want to talk to when they need to feel uplifted and encouraged. You don't have to be a saint. The people I enjoy having conversations with this most are genuinely happy, outgoing, and positive people who really listen to me and ask my meaningful questions.
It's really not hard to be those thing. Try it out tomorrow...
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6)
When we are outgoing, positive, and happy people, we are showing love. Having a conversation out of love leads to being able to answer anyone. I really encourage you to try this out tomorrow. Let all of your conversations be full of grace and that is when you will have an impact greater than you could ever imagine.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
True reality
I want to start by saying this. We have freedom from human rules. There is a weird and strange way that this world works and we are free from it. It’s way to easy to get caught up in what everyone thinks.
I mean look at social media. Everything we do seems like it’s under a microscope. You do one think on the other side of the world and post about it your friend in the other side knows exactly what you are doing. It’s a beautiful thing but also ensnares is. The world has us around it’s neck sometimes. For example, even professional athletes. They can’t go anywhere without the media making a fuss about it. It’s like people just need things to talk about.
We simply care too much what other people think. What’s it really matter? Who cares what other people are doing when it comes to many superficial things.
Living in the time period we live in we forget what reality is actually like. Do you know what true reality is?
My goal for you is to encourage you with remembering where true reality is and who it comes from.
Once we know and understand that we begin to forget about the small things that don’t really matter.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or with regard to the things you do. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Who cares what you are doing and why do we care so much about what we are seeing around us?
True reality comes from Christ and that is what matters. I encourage you to remember that tonight.
I mean look at social media. Everything we do seems like it’s under a microscope. You do one think on the other side of the world and post about it your friend in the other side knows exactly what you are doing. It’s a beautiful thing but also ensnares is. The world has us around it’s neck sometimes. For example, even professional athletes. They can’t go anywhere without the media making a fuss about it. It’s like people just need things to talk about.
We simply care too much what other people think. What’s it really matter? Who cares what other people are doing when it comes to many superficial things.
Living in the time period we live in we forget what reality is actually like. Do you know what true reality is?
My goal for you is to encourage you with remembering where true reality is and who it comes from.
Once we know and understand that we begin to forget about the small things that don’t really matter.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or with regard to the things you do. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Who cares what you are doing and why do we care so much about what we are seeing around us?
True reality comes from Christ and that is what matters. I encourage you to remember that tonight.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Bearing fruit in dry land
The title of this might make you think...how do you bear fruit in a dry land?
I believe that as a society we focus way too much on the negative things. I was just watching the news, and the things that are covered are real situations, they're all just horrible. School shootings, missing kids, sexual lawsuits, severe weather, and many more things...
Every so often something good will get thrown in there but not too often... I believe that a lot of the times, those bad things we see cause us to give up hope. Especially for Christians.
All we see is bad bad bad bad bad and forget that there are actually good things happening.
Apart from the news, I believe that as Christians we focus on the negative things too. We think that believers aren't doing what they're supposed to, or they are living in such a way that is hypocritical, etc. You name it and we have probably thought it. We forget that the gospel is spreading and that we are bearing fruit. We forget that there are millions of believers who are serving others both in the United States and overseas every day. We forget that the gospel is being spread because we are only focused on the bad.
I was really refreshed when I read this verse tonight...
"In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world - just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace." (Colossians 1:6)
...the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world...
I want you to never forget that. When you give up hope, remember that the gospel is growing. Also though, this isn't your free pass to not do anything. Each and every single one of you plays a key role in this process.
Let us continue to be a light and bear fruit throughout the whole world and not forget the impact that we are making.
I believe that as a society we focus way too much on the negative things. I was just watching the news, and the things that are covered are real situations, they're all just horrible. School shootings, missing kids, sexual lawsuits, severe weather, and many more things...
Every so often something good will get thrown in there but not too often... I believe that a lot of the times, those bad things we see cause us to give up hope. Especially for Christians.
All we see is bad bad bad bad bad and forget that there are actually good things happening.
Apart from the news, I believe that as Christians we focus on the negative things too. We think that believers aren't doing what they're supposed to, or they are living in such a way that is hypocritical, etc. You name it and we have probably thought it. We forget that the gospel is spreading and that we are bearing fruit. We forget that there are millions of believers who are serving others both in the United States and overseas every day. We forget that the gospel is being spread because we are only focused on the bad.
I was really refreshed when I read this verse tonight...
"In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world - just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace." (Colossians 1:6)
...the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world...
I want you to never forget that. When you give up hope, remember that the gospel is growing. Also though, this isn't your free pass to not do anything. Each and every single one of you plays a key role in this process.
Let us continue to be a light and bear fruit throughout the whole world and not forget the impact that we are making.
I can do all things
I can do all things through Christ who strengths me. (Philippians 4:13)
I would most likely guarantee that is the most popular verse in the bible. I feel like it's one that everyone loves because it instills a certain amount of confidence in believers.
I believe that is it also misinterpreted. When I used to buy new basketball shoes back in the day I would always write that verse on them because I thought if I did, we would win games and I would score a lot of points. I believe that people view this verse as a statement that guarantees that we are able to do everything.
Sometimes it's even used a manner that isn't really proper. Does that make sense?
When Paul wrote those words in the book of Philippians, he was saying that he can do all things because he has experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:12)
The secret to being able to do all things is being content. Are you content with your life right now? In all honesty, I am content. Sure there are things that I want...but when it comes to what I feel in my heart, I feel fulfilled because of my relationship with Christ and being right with God.
Paul was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything that God had given him.
Paul was able to detach himself from every nonessential thing so that he could concentrate on the eternal. I know that might be hard because we have jobs to do, but in the midst of our daily lives we have the ability to have a tremendous perspective on what is really important.
My one thing for you today is a challenge to change your perspective and really think about where your source of power is coming from. I challenge you to find contentment in all circumstances. When you find that, everything changes...then you can do all things through Christ.
I would most likely guarantee that is the most popular verse in the bible. I feel like it's one that everyone loves because it instills a certain amount of confidence in believers.
I believe that is it also misinterpreted. When I used to buy new basketball shoes back in the day I would always write that verse on them because I thought if I did, we would win games and I would score a lot of points. I believe that people view this verse as a statement that guarantees that we are able to do everything.
Sometimes it's even used a manner that isn't really proper. Does that make sense?
When Paul wrote those words in the book of Philippians, he was saying that he can do all things because he has experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:12)
The secret to being able to do all things is being content. Are you content with your life right now? In all honesty, I am content. Sure there are things that I want...but when it comes to what I feel in my heart, I feel fulfilled because of my relationship with Christ and being right with God.
Paul was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything that God had given him.
Paul was able to detach himself from every nonessential thing so that he could concentrate on the eternal. I know that might be hard because we have jobs to do, but in the midst of our daily lives we have the ability to have a tremendous perspective on what is really important.
My one thing for you today is a challenge to change your perspective and really think about where your source of power is coming from. I challenge you to find contentment in all circumstances. When you find that, everything changes...then you can do all things through Christ.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
How do I glorify God?
Every moment of our lives we are either glorifying God or distorting him. With the words we say, the things we do, and the thoughts in our heads.
Glorifying God isn't just something that is meant to be done on Sundays. It's a decision that we must make every second of everyday. You can't glorify God by spending a little bit of time in the word each day, it must be a daily thing.
For me, when I have my Jesus time everyday I am not glorifying God just in that moment. Because I have that time, I know that I need to glorify God throughout the entire day.
Check this out...I just learned this in church today and I don't know if it was something I should've learned in 5th grade science class or not.
I thought my entire life that the moon was actually light. I had no clue that it was a reflection of the sun. How wild is that? Think about it this way for a second...we are the moon and Christ is the sun. We should be a reflection of Christ...the light that shines through us all the time. We are also like the moon to the extent that if Christ (the sun) wasn't there, we would never shine.
How do I glorify God?
1. abide by Christ
2. bear fruit
3. glorifying God
It's a three step process. If we don't abide by Christ, we will never bear fruit, if we don't bear fruit we we will never glorify God.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can bear fruit unless you remain in me.""I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This it to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
(John 15: 1-8)
What does it mean to remain in Christ? It's kinda like buying a home...you move into it, you make it yours, you live there, spend time, etc. We often make our relationship with Christ like a night in a hotel. We go about our lives and every once in while we stay the night in a hotel room. It's like when we only glorify God on Sundays. Glorifying God on Sundays is making your relationship with Christ like a night in a hotel room. It's temporary and you can't make anything out of it.
We are very sour people. When we are just a branch that isn't attached the vine we are nothing. There is no life in just a stick. Our only hope to produce fruit is to remain in Christ. We are too sour to produce anything sweet without Christ.
The last thing I want to leave you with is this...It's about God's commitment to us.
God is so committed to us that he prunes us. Sometimes he has to cut some things off in order to prepare us for the future. Trust the pruning hands of Jesus. It's different than discipline. Discipline happens when we do something wrong and God wants less of it. Pruning happens when do something right and God wants more of it.
Trust the pruning hands...in order to live a life where we are glorifying God it's going to require a lot of things being cut off. By the time you've gone through the pruning process your life might be complete different but you know what? You will be complete because you are living your life in the right way...a way that is glorying to God because you are in Christ.
Glorifying God isn't just something that is meant to be done on Sundays. It's a decision that we must make every second of everyday. You can't glorify God by spending a little bit of time in the word each day, it must be a daily thing.
For me, when I have my Jesus time everyday I am not glorifying God just in that moment. Because I have that time, I know that I need to glorify God throughout the entire day.
Check this out...I just learned this in church today and I don't know if it was something I should've learned in 5th grade science class or not.
I thought my entire life that the moon was actually light. I had no clue that it was a reflection of the sun. How wild is that? Think about it this way for a second...we are the moon and Christ is the sun. We should be a reflection of Christ...the light that shines through us all the time. We are also like the moon to the extent that if Christ (the sun) wasn't there, we would never shine.
How do I glorify God?
1. abide by Christ
2. bear fruit
3. glorifying God
It's a three step process. If we don't abide by Christ, we will never bear fruit, if we don't bear fruit we we will never glorify God.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can bear fruit unless you remain in me.""I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This it to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
(John 15: 1-8)
What does it mean to remain in Christ? It's kinda like buying a home...you move into it, you make it yours, you live there, spend time, etc. We often make our relationship with Christ like a night in a hotel. We go about our lives and every once in while we stay the night in a hotel room. It's like when we only glorify God on Sundays. Glorifying God on Sundays is making your relationship with Christ like a night in a hotel room. It's temporary and you can't make anything out of it.
We are very sour people. When we are just a branch that isn't attached the vine we are nothing. There is no life in just a stick. Our only hope to produce fruit is to remain in Christ. We are too sour to produce anything sweet without Christ.
The last thing I want to leave you with is this...It's about God's commitment to us.
God is so committed to us that he prunes us. Sometimes he has to cut some things off in order to prepare us for the future. Trust the pruning hands of Jesus. It's different than discipline. Discipline happens when we do something wrong and God wants less of it. Pruning happens when do something right and God wants more of it.
Trust the pruning hands...in order to live a life where we are glorifying God it's going to require a lot of things being cut off. By the time you've gone through the pruning process your life might be complete different but you know what? You will be complete because you are living your life in the right way...a way that is glorying to God because you are in Christ.
Friday, September 13, 2019
What's your scope?
Time and time again I read through a passage in the word and a few words stick out to me. Not even a full sentence but it hits my heart in such a way that I can't help but share. Most of the time these little half sentences can make the world of difference.
One of the things that I believe strongly in is helping people learn in the most simple ways. With that being said, with this post I want to make it as simple and easy to understand.
I want to challenge you with this thought: When you think of who the bible is for...does a certain group of people come to mind?
If it did, you're wrong.
The word of God is for all.
"To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:1)
My one thing for you today is this. When you think of who the bible is for, remember that it is for everybody. Get that stereotype out of your head on who you think it's specifically for. It's for all and it was written for all of God's people.
My simple challenge for you today to broaden your scope.
I know this was really short, but I believe that it was effective.
One of the things that I believe strongly in is helping people learn in the most simple ways. With that being said, with this post I want to make it as simple and easy to understand.
I want to challenge you with this thought: When you think of who the bible is for...does a certain group of people come to mind?
If it did, you're wrong.
The word of God is for all.
"To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:1)
My one thing for you today is this. When you think of who the bible is for, remember that it is for everybody. Get that stereotype out of your head on who you think it's specifically for. It's for all and it was written for all of God's people.
My simple challenge for you today to broaden your scope.
I know this was really short, but I believe that it was effective.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Pray on all occasions
Do you pray on all occasions or just when you need to? Do you pray on all occasions when you want to?
I am going to guess that probably not. We pray when we have too, and we pray when we have a certain routine down. When thinks are going poorly, we pray...when things are going well we pray out of thanksgiving...
So we are praying, but is it on all occasions?
I like to pray before my meals, when I wake up in the morning, and before I go to bed at that. That is not even close to all occasions.
A couple years back when I was in high school, I was talking to one of my friends and I remember him saying this: "If God hears/knows all of our thoughts, why not make all of those prayers?" I loved that, but to actually live in that way is borderline impossible. It's so hard. But when you try to live that way you realize how wrong and how poor your thought processes are.
That hits hard with me. I would love to be honoring to God in all of my thoughts, but it's seriously so hard. Satan deceives us into thinking so many things that gets us off track.
When I read this, one of the things that came to mind was Rachel. About a month ago we were driving somewhere in Nashville and the ambulance flew past us off to an emergency. As I pulled over so the ambulance had room, Rachel started praying for whoever the ambulance was off to. It was incredible. Out of nowhere this prayer just shot out of her mouth!
I was so encouraged by her courage. She just started praying for them, she didn't even ask me if we should. She told me that was something she has done since she was a kid and it was so cool to witness.
That moment was the perfect example of praying in all occasions. I mean who really thinks to pray in that situation for people that we don't even know?
Paul writes this: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:18)
You might be wondering how we can pray on all occasions. One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer. You don't have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly. You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God's powerful influences.
I encourage you to pray on all occasions. My your life be a prayer. My your prayers become a habit. There is so much that can be done and your life will be so much better when you start to pray every day over all occasions.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Obey your parents
If you think back on your entire life right now, I am sure that there are some things that you could change. I know for me, one of those things I wish I would've lived by my entire life is obeying my parents.
I definitely have obeyed them like 85% of the time, but when I look back at it, there were so many times where I wish I would've just been honest with them. It wasn't like I was doing horrible things either. I lied a couple times, and I got a couple tattoos without telling them. Probably not the best decisions I have ever made, but I learned from them.
In the moment, when I knew I was wrong, I was affected because I felt guilty, and they were hurt because I wasn't honest with them.
It was a two way street that was leading to two L's. You might think you can finagle your way around your parents but you just can't. You mine as well be honest with them about everything because parents always find out.
One of the worst feelings in the world is hearing a loved one tell you that they are disappointed in you. They love me unconditionally and I know they are proud of me, but I would do anything to take away that feeling of disappointing them and the feeling I know that they had.
It's easier to just always be honest with them, and respect them always.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise-"so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)
When we obey our parents, we aren't just obeying them for ourselves, but for the Lord. It's the right thing to do. I don't know about you but I love doing the right thing!
Then looking at the second part, when we obey our parents, we will enjoy a long lasting life.
Let's take a look at this here...when we obey our parents, we are making the right decision and we will enjoy a long lasting life. Seems pretty worth it to me.
My one thing for you today is to obey your parents. I don't care how old you are, always obey, love, and respect them.
Sunday, September 8, 2019
You can't cross enemy lines
I hope to help you understand something today that I often don't understand...
The bible talks about how we must stay away from unbelievers, those who are foolish, and those who are wicked right? I think there is a misconception that we should only be around good Christians and those who are evil we are just supposed to forget about and stay away from. Honestly that is what I think sometimes.
That isn't what God wants. If we only spent time around Christians how would we ever help increase the kingdom of heaven?
We have the ability to increase the kingdom of heaven when we come into contact with unbelievers.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or cause joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:3-4)
Obscenity and coarse joking are so common that we begin to take them for granted. Paul writes to us that improper language should have no place in the Christian's conversation because it does not reflect God's gracious presence is us.
This is taught sometimes because we are unaware of the level of conversations that we are actually having. Now certain conversations honestly make me cringe. I am not trying to be crazy by saying that, but being around talk that isn't pleasing to God is just not for me.
How can we ever remind others of God's goodness when we are speaking in such a way?
We need to remember that we are never forbidden to have contact with unbelievers. Jesus taught his followers to befriend sinners and lead them to him. Paul writes against the lifestyle of people who live in such a way that is not honoring to God. We can be around those people, as long as we are not giving into the things that they are saying and doing.
That's easier said than done. When I make the decision that I was going to restrain myself from saying certain things, it took time. As disciplined as I am, it took me a little while to be okay with just being myself!
With all of this, we have an amazing opportunity at hand. That opportunity is to make the most of every opportunity.
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
We must have a sense of urgency in the way that we live and make decisions because the days are evil. When we don't have a sense of urgency it's easy to become consumed by the world. I challenge you to have a sense of urgency to be different, encourage those who don't believe, and to not cross enemy lines.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
The power of your belief
There is a great amount of power when you believe in everything that say, think, and do.
A couple months ago, every time I began to say "I think" I realized that I was already doubting myself. Even if I wasn't doubting myself, I was through the words that I was saying. That quickly became a pattern, I would use "I think" in my blog posts all the time, text messages, and even the conversations that I was having.
It just really hit me one day when I was writing that every time I used the words "I think" I would change the wording to "I believe."
This quickly become an obsession for me. I was no longer only thinking that I knew what I was talking about, I believed it. I was obsessed with changing my language to something so powerful. Belief is like jet fuel, once you have it, you'll hit the ground running and everything about your mindset, attitude, and thoughts will change.
I began to ask myself this question..."Who is going to listen to what I have to say, or read what I write if it's only something that I think is right?" Nah..people are drawn to those who have a powerful belief in what they say, think, write and do.
So I committed to my new obsession. I was no longer going to just think about things in my life and express what I was thinking. I felt like that was only scratching the surface of the things that I believed I could accomplish.
I want to make this loud and clear, I have such a powerful belief in the abilities that God has given me because I believe in God. I believe that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. I believe in a God who loves me. I believe in a God who loves all equally. I believe in a God that created the heavens and the earth. I believe in a God that has never failed me. I believe in a God who has blessed me and my loved ones in more ways than I could ever imagine.
I want you to experience that belief...it's changed my life!
I believe that when you start believing in God, you will begin to believe in yourself.
My belief is why I am the way I am today...
A couple months ago, every time I began to say "I think" I realized that I was already doubting myself. Even if I wasn't doubting myself, I was through the words that I was saying. That quickly became a pattern, I would use "I think" in my blog posts all the time, text messages, and even the conversations that I was having.
It just really hit me one day when I was writing that every time I used the words "I think" I would change the wording to "I believe."
This quickly become an obsession for me. I was no longer only thinking that I knew what I was talking about, I believed it. I was obsessed with changing my language to something so powerful. Belief is like jet fuel, once you have it, you'll hit the ground running and everything about your mindset, attitude, and thoughts will change.
I began to ask myself this question..."Who is going to listen to what I have to say, or read what I write if it's only something that I think is right?" Nah..people are drawn to those who have a powerful belief in what they say, think, write and do.
So I committed to my new obsession. I was no longer going to just think about things in my life and express what I was thinking. I felt like that was only scratching the surface of the things that I believed I could accomplish.
I want to make this loud and clear, I have such a powerful belief in the abilities that God has given me because I believe in God. I believe that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. I believe in a God who loves me. I believe in a God who loves all equally. I believe in a God that created the heavens and the earth. I believe in a God that has never failed me. I believe in a God who has blessed me and my loved ones in more ways than I could ever imagine.
I want you to experience that belief...it's changed my life!
I believe that when you start believing in God, you will begin to believe in yourself.
My belief is why I am the way I am today...
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Parading floats
Every year there are multiple parades that seem to be on TV, some with the really large ballon-like human figures. Have you seen those before? There are all sorts of people holding them up by strings and you really never see one that looks as perfect as it should be. There are large ballon floats where the arm of the character might totally be wrapped around its back...or the float is crashing into people...you never really know.
Do you see the picture that I am trying to paint here?
When it comes to the body of Christ, I feel like we are that parading float. Not the perfect version, the version you see you TV where people are struggling to make that character look as good as possible. It's usually a mess, because those floats are usually pretty large!
What we lack is speaking truth out of love. If everyone spoke truth out of love then there would never be an issue with the imperfect float I was talking about before.
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
(Ephesians 4:15-16)
Each and every single one of you is part of the body. We aren't a bunch of arms, we are the whole body of Christ. We too often don't really understand this. I think sometimes we try to blaze our own path and we think that we make up the entire body ourselves. WE are all one body, not just you, not just me.
My challenge for you is to remember unity. Remember that we all make up Christ's body. Every, individual body part. Until we are speaking and doing everything out of love, we are like that awkward float that we see on TV every Thanksgiving.
Strive to be full and whole body of Christ as one!
Do you see the picture that I am trying to paint here?
When it comes to the body of Christ, I feel like we are that parading float. Not the perfect version, the version you see you TV where people are struggling to make that character look as good as possible. It's usually a mess, because those floats are usually pretty large!
What we lack is speaking truth out of love. If everyone spoke truth out of love then there would never be an issue with the imperfect float I was talking about before.
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
(Ephesians 4:15-16)
Each and every single one of you is part of the body. We aren't a bunch of arms, we are the whole body of Christ. We too often don't really understand this. I think sometimes we try to blaze our own path and we think that we make up the entire body ourselves. WE are all one body, not just you, not just me.
My challenge for you is to remember unity. Remember that we all make up Christ's body. Every, individual body part. Until we are speaking and doing everything out of love, we are like that awkward float that we see on TV every Thanksgiving.
Strive to be full and whole body of Christ as one!
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
lucky servants/mindful hearts
Two titles two ideas -
1. ) Did you know that to be a servant of Christ it is considered a gift? It's not a job, it's not a responsibility, it's not a chore. To be a servant of Christ is literally a gift. It's a gift a lot of us take for granted.
Paul writes this: "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." (Ephesians 3:7)
When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively. God will give you the opportunities to tell others about Christ. When those opportunities come, he will provide the ability, courage, and power. We must make ourselves available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity presents itself.
I hope that all makes sense. I just fully believe we take the gift of being a servant for granted. We just can't do that...we will miss out way too much on the fulfillment and enjoyment of life when that happens.
2.) Do we tell God of his wonderful deeds?
I know we always say that we are thankful for certain things in prayer and to other people, but when was the last time that you really sat in silence and thanked God for all he does for you. When was the last time you had a mindful heart of all he has done.
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 9:1)
Here are some things that we should probably be mindful of everyday:
- waking up in the morning
- running water
- a roof over our heads
- jobs
- school
- food/meals
- safe drinking water
- freedom
- the sun
- clean air to breath
- people
- feelings
- emotions
- interactions with other people
- the Bible
- trees
- water
- animals
I know that those are some really simple, silly, and basic things we experience everyday but are you mindful of them? Are you mindful of everything that God is doing in your life on a daily basis?
It's easy to complain because it feels like more bad things happen than good, but that is just where are minds have wondered off to. We are surrounded by negativity all around us and we shake our heads and wonder what is going on...when we do that we are forgetting to be mindful of all God's wonderful deeds.
Be mindful my friends, God is doing wonderful things every time we blink our eyes and take a breath. We just have to be more aware.
1. ) Did you know that to be a servant of Christ it is considered a gift? It's not a job, it's not a responsibility, it's not a chore. To be a servant of Christ is literally a gift. It's a gift a lot of us take for granted.
Paul writes this: "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." (Ephesians 3:7)
When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively. God will give you the opportunities to tell others about Christ. When those opportunities come, he will provide the ability, courage, and power. We must make ourselves available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity presents itself.
I hope that all makes sense. I just fully believe we take the gift of being a servant for granted. We just can't do that...we will miss out way too much on the fulfillment and enjoyment of life when that happens.
2.) Do we tell God of his wonderful deeds?
I know we always say that we are thankful for certain things in prayer and to other people, but when was the last time that you really sat in silence and thanked God for all he does for you. When was the last time you had a mindful heart of all he has done.
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 9:1)
Here are some things that we should probably be mindful of everyday:
- waking up in the morning
- running water
- a roof over our heads
- jobs
- school
- food/meals
- safe drinking water
- freedom
- the sun
- clean air to breath
- people
- feelings
- emotions
- interactions with other people
- the Bible
- trees
- water
- animals
I know that those are some really simple, silly, and basic things we experience everyday but are you mindful of them? Are you mindful of everything that God is doing in your life on a daily basis?
It's easy to complain because it feels like more bad things happen than good, but that is just where are minds have wondered off to. We are surrounded by negativity all around us and we shake our heads and wonder what is going on...when we do that we are forgetting to be mindful of all God's wonderful deeds.
Be mindful my friends, God is doing wonderful things every time we blink our eyes and take a breath. We just have to be more aware.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
God's handiwork
As Christians I feel like a lot of the time we have to arrange something in order for us to be able to do good work. Events have to be created, service days, service trips, etc. It's like we have to seek out opportunities because we aren't able to recognize that the opportunities are right in front of us.
Think about the service days and trips you have been a part of. Think of how good you feel after one of those days. For me, any time we had a service day back when I was in high school, it was like an unnecessary supernatural experience. The day would always start with a prayer, then we would go all over town and serve others. At the time in my life it was like fifth nature to do the work of Christ. It seemed like we had to have our teeth pulled in order to commit to serving others for just one day.
Why is it so hard to do the work of Christ every single day? I believe that it's a mindset. We are busy humans consumed by our own wants, needs, and desires...why would we worry about anyone else?
It's like our pattern of reasoning is off. Deep down we know our ultimate purpose and why we are here. Just beneath the surface we are know what we should do but conflict that with what we want to do. On the outside, we do what we want to do for ourselves.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
God prepared good work for us in advance to do! Meaning there is always good work for us to do. We don't need to put on these special service days or seek out to do good works because God already created this work for us to do. It's everywhere.
As Christians it would be our first nature to serve and be doing God's handiwork. That deep down feeling where we know what we are supposed to be doing should be our only feeling.
My challenge to you is to simply open your eyes and recognize that where you are looking right now, good work can be done! This handiwork has already been prepared in advance for us. There are so many good things that you can do today. Open a door for someone, pick up some litter you see on the ground, smile and say hello,
You never know how someones day might be going - and a random act of kindness could totally change that. The handiwork is out there, it's been prepared for us all. It's just a matter of opening your eyes and changing your mindset.
Think about the service days and trips you have been a part of. Think of how good you feel after one of those days. For me, any time we had a service day back when I was in high school, it was like an unnecessary supernatural experience. The day would always start with a prayer, then we would go all over town and serve others. At the time in my life it was like fifth nature to do the work of Christ. It seemed like we had to have our teeth pulled in order to commit to serving others for just one day.
Why is it so hard to do the work of Christ every single day? I believe that it's a mindset. We are busy humans consumed by our own wants, needs, and desires...why would we worry about anyone else?
It's like our pattern of reasoning is off. Deep down we know our ultimate purpose and why we are here. Just beneath the surface we are know what we should do but conflict that with what we want to do. On the outside, we do what we want to do for ourselves.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
God prepared good work for us in advance to do! Meaning there is always good work for us to do. We don't need to put on these special service days or seek out to do good works because God already created this work for us to do. It's everywhere.
As Christians it would be our first nature to serve and be doing God's handiwork. That deep down feeling where we know what we are supposed to be doing should be our only feeling.
My challenge to you is to simply open your eyes and recognize that where you are looking right now, good work can be done! This handiwork has already been prepared in advance for us. There are so many good things that you can do today. Open a door for someone, pick up some litter you see on the ground, smile and say hello,
You never know how someones day might be going - and a random act of kindness could totally change that. The handiwork is out there, it's been prepared for us all. It's just a matter of opening your eyes and changing your mindset.
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